Seminars by Walter Surface Technologies help customers reach safety and productivity goals

February 2017 - The improper use of tools can cause accidents, so it’s important for companies to continually train  employees on the proper use of abrasives and power tools. Such reinforcement is likely to reduce workplace injuries and improve productivity. 

Walter Surface Technologies, Windsor, Connecticut, provides the metalworking industry with abrasives, power tools, tooling, and chemical and environmental solutions. Customers can soak up knowledge of correct tool operation by attending a free seminar that pinpoints potential problems while encouraging a safe working environment.

“Since 1952, Walter has been actively involved in our customers’ process; however, it wasn’t until 1987 that we launched a formal Safety Seminar program,” says Jim Jennings, national training manager-West. 

Walter’s program features an interactive format that combines safety theory with actual use of tools and products. 

“We began with a flip chart that evolved into today’s PowerPoint presentation, which is complete with videos and live safe practice how-tos,” says Tim Chisholm, national training manager-East. “The seminar has been updated several times. We are getting ready to launch [the latest] version in February 2017.”

These safety seminars are conducted by trained Walter representatives in person and on site at customers’ facilities. “Experience has shown us that interacting with the users yields the best retention,” Chisholm says. “However, we understand the need to reach smaller groups, such as new employees, more frequently. We use a saying: ‘Tell me and I will forget, show me and I may remember, involve me and I will understand.’”

Jennings adds that companies typically learn about the seminars from Walter’s teams in the field who promote them through “conversations, value-add offerings and printed marketing support pieces.” The safety seminars are typically held in a “classroom environment, but many industrial locations do not have the proper on-site training facilities, so we often need to adapt and conduct the seminar in their lunchroom or in part of the shop,” he says.

Safety seminars can be used to train new employees and provide existing workers with refresher courses. “Whether it’s a rush job, a fast-approaching deadline, unexpected maintenance or just pure volume, everyone is busy,” Jennings says. “Safety can often get overlooked in that kind of environment.” Participating employees receive a certificate of completion. 

Walter’s team meets with customer representatives in advance of the seminar date to ensure the presentation addresses their specific safety issues. “The most effective way to prepare is to first understand the company’s applications, needs and challenges,” Chisholm says. “The vast majority of presentations are preceded by site reconnaissance and discussions with safety officers and supervisors.”

There’s also the Walter Bucket Program. A 5-gallon bucket is placed on the shop floor so that employees can deposit all used abrasives into it for a set period. Jennings says this “connects with the shop floor’s usage by analyzing consumables prior to addressing the crew.” 

Observations about the abrasives collected in the bucket can include uneven wear patterns on grinding wheels, broken cut-off wheels, side deburring on a cut-off wheel, frayed wire wheels and glazing. “It shows actual shop practices day to day and is invaluable to this process,” he says.

Analyzing the contents gives insight into possible areas to save costs and improve safety, and provides “examples that are relevant to different safety points within the seminar presentation.” 

It’s important for employers to emphasize safety education, and Walter’s seminars help them ensure employees have opportunities to learn. 

“Safety training prevents injury, accidents and fatalities,” Chisholm says. “What we tend to forget is cost. It sounds a bit cold, but downtime due to injury stops production and has a monetary consequence to the company, which ultimately can affect jobs. When a company cares, the employees care.

“Grinders run at very high speeds, and as a result, they can be one of the most dangerous hand power tools to work with,” he continues. “Proper instruction on the use of these tools can prevent a very serious accident from taking place. Safety starts with you—by that we mean everyone: the company, safety department, supervisors and those on the tools.” FFJ